Based on my understanding of this course, nursing as a human science is both an art and science of helping people to enhance their lifestyle by restoring or promoting health changes. It is a caring and holistic art that sets itself in opposition to the rationality and reductive practices of scientific medicine and healthcare organization. Nursing is a science in the sense that it requires both the scientific and artistic knowledge of the human body as well as its disease process and health deviations. It is an art in the sense that it requires one to possess exceptional traits and skills such as caring, compassion, empathy, respect, responsibility, accountability, honesty, etc. The philosophy and mission of Lehman College relate to my ideas …show more content…
Patient advocacy is both essential and crucial for nurses to promote and ensure in the nursing field. I have learned in our class that patient advocacy plays a major role in building a trusting therapeutic relationship. Therefore, nurses must advocate on behalf of their patients and provide them with the support they deserve. Patient advocacy in nursing is being actively supportive of a patient in relation to his / her rights and choices, protecting basic human rights such as autonomy (Cole, Wellard, & Mummery, 2014). This simply means that patient advocacy is the act of informing and supporting a patient so that he/she can make the best possible decision for …show more content…
It is of high importance in health care due to the fact that nurses often care for vulnerable patients who may not be able to advocate for themselves in time of needs. Nurses must show patient advocacy by assisting the patient to choose decisions that are beneficial to the patient as well as informing them of their rights (Cole, Wellard, & Mummery, 2014). Because an individual has a right to self-determination and the freedom to choose what is best for themselves, patient advocacy that involves informing the patient should always be done in a professional manner with respect, honesty and dignity (Hanks, 2008). And nurses must show empathy and support of the decision a patient makes. It is also important for nurses to respect and encourage a patient advocacy and continue to ensure the choices of their patients are honored and respected despite of their opinions or beliefs on about them. Another aspect or concept of nursing that is extremely important is communication. In nursing, communication is a critical part of ensuring patients are cared for appropriately. The way one communicates can have a large impact on how one is viewed professionally, and on patient care. Communication is also vital aspect of nursing and it can influence the type of care given and the care that is received. Communication
Nurses today need to have excellent communication skills. Receiving information from patients is the most important aspect of nursing. If nurses are unable to communicate with their patient then they would not be able to have a relationship with them. Communication is where two or more people interact with each other, by using sounds and words, this is verbal communication. Some individuals have different behaviors where they try to express themselves to others without using spoken words, this is non verbal communication. Once nurses have the proper communication tools, techniques and evidence based practice, when communicating with their patient, they would get the necessary information needed from the patient to properly diagnosis them.
The need for advocacy is most often first noticed by the nurse through empathy. When nurses are able to empathize with their patients it begins the process of advocacy. When the nurse empathizes with their patient an altruistic attitude towards the patient grows, this improves caring and caring is essentially an innate form of professional ethics. The want to advocate by the nurse is greatly enhanced when the nurse truly cares about the patient; which is best developed through empathy. The want to advocate for the patient by the nurse is the biggest factor in positive advocacy outcomes (Reed, F., et. all, 2016). Professional caring combines caring and empathy with nursing knowledge and competency; together these factors enable the nurse to serve as a capable moral agent for their patient within the healthcare system. It is not possible to advocate for a patient properly without being first able to empathize and create a therapeutic nurse-client
Advocating is the promoting and defending of a specific cause; it is the supportive framework nurses build and maintain for every client that they encounter (Mahlin, 2010). Definitively defining the theoretical concept of advocacy is difficult due to its dynamic nature. Within the realm of nursing specifically, advocacy focuses on patient representation, confidentiality and informed consent. The advocacy role of the nurse includes ensuring the efficacy of a protocol or treatment, effectively communicating and educating the client and maintaining overall well being (Bu & Jezewski, 2007). Advocacy is mobilizing evidence, exercising voice and engaging others; this includes public awareness building and influencing public policy (Mahlin, 2010).
Mrs. Denise Callaway (RN, BSN) is my charge nurse at the hospital in rural Georgia. She is a patient advocate. In her interview, she stated that she is a patient advocate first and foremost. She believes that all nurses, RN?s and LPN?s, have a responsibility to advocate for their patients. She admits that she try to put herself in the patient?s and/or family?s place. She was taught to? do unto others? and she has followed that philosophy throughout her nursing practice. Mrs. Callaway always encourages her staff to see the best in the patients. She never sets in an office. She is always out on the unit helping staff, it does not matter if it is housekeeping, and she is always there to lend a hand when needed. She always includes her patients
Frequently, nurses are confronted with the task of finding the balance between advocating for the patient, and remaining loyal to their hospital or institution (Hanks, 2007). Risks that are associated with patient advocacy are more on the institutional level (Bu & Jezewski, 2007). Risks such as accusations of insubordination, reputation slander, hostile work environment, and loss of job security are among some of the top reasons nurses tend to shy away for patient advocacy (Bu & Jezewski, 2007). Another problem with advocacy is that there isn’t a universal definition as to what being an advocate means, along with inconsistency of interpretations (Bu & Jezewski,
Consent has been a fundamental part of nursing practice dating back as far as Hippocrates in ancient Greece. The Hippocratic Oath is an ancient form of guideline, devised for those who chose to enter the medical profession. Here these guidelines show physician-patient conversation were key components in healthcare, along with ensuring patients were kept informed on issues related to their health and the importance of gaining consent during the delivery of care (Miles, 2009).
As young American adults turn eighteen, they are reminded that it is their civic duty and responsibility to register to vote, to be aware of current policies and to make educated decisions in the voting booth. As some of these young adults become active in the nursing profession, they are taught that their ultimate responsibility is to advocate for their patients; they are to ensure their safety and well-being. That being said, does this responsibility stop at the bedside? Should nurses take an active role in the policy making that directly affects the healthcare of their patients? Conn and Armer (2012) stated that “nurses must be prepared to use multiple and varied strategies to influence public policy so that optimal health outcomes can be achieved” (p. 296). This statement alone implies that nursing’s responsibility extends beyond direct patient care.
Nursing in general implies being an advocate for individuals, families, and community. From the definition, nursing can be understood from both a science and art perspective. However, it is fully understandable that nursing is a result of numerous task. Therefore, nursing is a process---a process that can be amended, repeated or even set as a guide to achieve unchartered territory of nursing. The advocacy of nursing can be achieved in two ways--by being caring and building relationships with patients.
In Nursing, there will always be instances where the patient's nurse needs to advocate for their patient. There are numerous reasons why a nurse would advocate for their patient ranging from getting the doctor to change the patient’s orders, helping the patient’s treatment team understand what it is the patient is requiring for the day, to expressing the patient’s last wishes before death. In every situation, the nurse should do what is in the patient’s best interest. Tomajan (2012), “Advocacy skills are the ability to successfully support a cause or interest on one’s own behalf or that of another. Advocacy requires a set of skills that include problem solving, communication, influence, and collaboration”(p. 2). With those skills, the nursing staff will be able to work together to advocate for their patients. Along with those skills, nurses need to keep in mind the three core attributes that are: safeguarding patients’ autonomy; acting on behalf of patients; and championing social justice in the provision of health care. (Bu & Jezewski, 2006)
The healthcare system can be difficult for clients to navigate and they are often unsure how to access information which puts them at the mercy of others and can lead to feelings of helplessness (Erlen, 2006). Nurses can provide resources to educate patients when they becomes dependent on a health care provider and no longer feel in control of their own body which can lead to fear, hopelessness, helplessness and loss of control (Cousley et al., 2014). The change in roles individuals face can further increase their stress and feelings of powerlessness (Scanlon & Lee, 2006). According to the CNA code of ethics, nurses are responsible for protecting patients from objective risks that place them in an increased level of vulnerability (Carel, 2009). They can do this by providing the resources necessary for patients to educate themselves and be better able to cope with the health challenges they
“Communication is the heart of nursing… your ability to use your growing knowledge and yourself as an instrument of care and caring and compassion” (Koerner, 2010, as cited in Balzer-Riley, 2012, p. 2). The knowledge base which Koerner is referring to includes important concepts such as communication, assertiveness, responsibility and caring (Balzer-Riley, 2012). Furthermore, communication is complex. It includes communication with patients, patient families, doctors, co-workers, nurse managers and many others. Due to those concepts and the variety of people involved, barriers and issues are present. Knowing how to communicate efficiently can be difficult.
In nursing practice, communication is essential, and good communication skills are paramount in the development of a therapeutic nurse/patient relationship. This aim of this essay is to discuss the importance of communication in nursing, demonstrating how effective communication facilitates a therapeutic nurse/patient relationship. This will be achieved by providing a definition of communication, making reference to models of communication and explaining how different types of communication skills can be used in practise.
Autonomy is identified as another professional value and one that the nurse must possess. Autonomy is the right to self-determination. Nurse’s respect the patient’s right to make a decision regarding their healthcare. Practical application includes, educating patients and their families on their choices, honoring their right to make their own decision and stay in control of their health, developing care plans in collaboration with the patient (Taylor, C. Lillis, C. LeMone, P. Lynn, P,
Communication is an important concept of caring in nursing because the nurse has to know how to communicate efficiently in order to get the patient to trust the nurse enough to open up to the nurse and also the nurse needs to communicate respectfully to show the patient that they genuinely do care about their health and want to help them as much as they
It is essential for the nurse to have emotional strength and willingness to perform the needs of patient advocacy. The foundation is the relationship between the client and the nurse. Factors such as integrity and collegiality are examples of what are used in addition to other criteria in client advocacy selection (Vaartio, 2008). It is also important to recognize that nursing advocacy is also a professional strategy that may need to fall outside of the nurse-client relationship sometimes in order to do what is best for the clients’ well